Adelaide Hills: best local bars and pubs

A new wave of culinary creatives have taken over the Adelaide Hills, joining local favourites to create a thriving bar and pub scene.

By Adelaide Hills: best local bars and pubs

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With South Australia’s chillier weather upon us, there’s no better time to rug up, hit the road and eat and drink your way through the Adelaide Hills’ newest, most exciting bars, pubs and casual restaurants.

Why to visit: Hotchpotch in the best way possible, the newly-renovated Uraidla Hotelis a wonderful clash of old and new. Grab a drink and relax by the fireplace, surrounded by original exposed stonework with artfully placed (and fast becoming #instafamous) upside down lampshades hanging from the ceiling.

The Uraidla Hotel’s menu can best be described as sophisticated pub grub with rabbit and pancetta ale pie and humble chicken schnitty sitting side-by-side. To drink, you’ll be treated to some of the Adelaide Hills’ finest drops as well as world-famous labels from our contrasting wine regions. For more information, see the Uraidla Hotel website.

Boasting one of the slickest pub interiors in South Australia and a sprawling, fairy-lit alfresco dining area, it’s one of the prettiest places in the Hills to wine and dine. For more information, see the Stirling Hotel website.

Why to visit: Completely redeveloped and oozing style, the Crafers Hotel boasts an avant-garde interior featuring reclaimed wood, leather, iron, copper and exposed stone. Newly appointed Head Chef Ben Carli has brought with him a love of French cuisine which is evident in the mouth-watering menu, featuring everything from parmigiana to filet mignon. Wash it all down with the one of the state’s most impressive wine lists, straight from the Crafers Hotel’s very own wine room.

Pop in on Sunday and dig into a very different type of bread and wine. Lost in a Forest is famous for its wood-oven pizzas with unconventionally delicious toppings such as blue pig fig and bahn mi. The wine list is a showcase of local Adelaide Hills labels with a few international gems splashed in as well. For more information, see the Lost in a Forest website.

Why to visit: Step into Summertown Aristologist and enter a sunny haze of food and wine, served by a smooth-talking group chefs, bartenders and winemakers. Put simply, it’s some of the Adelaide Hills’ best food and drink, grown and prepared mostly on-site by a community of passionate local foodies.

Why to visit: Hidden among the Northern Adelaide Hills in an old 1920s coldstore, you’ll find the home of Applewood Distillery & Unico Zelo Wines. Enter a labyrinth of Charlie’s Chocolate Factory-esque distilling rooms and watch how the cellar door’s incredible range of wines and spirits are made. When you’re done, chill out in the super-stylish bar/tasting area. Spend the afternoon sipping awesome Applewood cocktails, Unico Zelo wines, wine and spirit flights, and of course, bar nibbles. For more information see the Applewood Distillery/Unico Zelo Wines website.

Why to visit: The grandfather of Adelaide Hills’ food and wine scene, Lobethal Bierhaus is a micro brewery, cellar door and restaurant proudly located in Lobethal's Old Onkaparinga Woollen Mills.

Part museum, brewery equipment used throughout the ages is on display, dating all the way back to 1851. The Lobethal BierHaus restaurant serves a full range of excellent dishes using local produce, all in a laid-back, child-friendly environment. Grab a glass of handcrafted beer or locally made wine to wash it down.

Why to visit: Established in 1855, the Bridgewater Inn is one of South Australia's most historic pubs. With a cosy open fire and shady vine-covered pergola by the creek, the Bridgewater Inn is the perfect spot for a relaxing ale and a bite to eat.

Bistro and al fresco dining is available seven days a week; The extensive a la carte menu from the Inn's famous kitchen is ideal for celebrations and family get-togethers. For more information, see the Bridgewater Inn website.

Why to visit: Housed in a historic 1860s flour mill, The Bridgewater Mill is one of South Australia’s most iconic restaurants. Award-winning Head Chef, Zac Ronayne is renowned for his round-the-world menu consisting of Japanese, French, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean dishes, all made using local ingredients.

The Bridgewater Mill offers a seasonal à la carte menu as well as share platters, prepared with produce from their organic Aldgate vegetable garden. For more information, see the Bridgewater Mill website.

Why to visit: There are many places to have lunch in Hahndorf, but if you want the full German experience, complete with mountainous piles of sausage and lederhosen-wearing waiting staff, the Hahndorf Inn cannot be beaten. Loosen your belt, grab a litre of beer and spend the afternoon gorging on bockwurst, wiessworst, kransky, pork schnitzel, pork hock and sauerkraut. Phew. For more information, see the Hahndorf Inn website.